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This paper sought to understand the strategies for marketing library offerings in selected academic libraries in Ghana. Through a qualitative research approach, this study used a purposive sampling technique to conduct face-to-face interviews among 15 librarians (Departmental Heads) from four academic libraries in Ghana. The collected data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically with the help of QSR NVivo qualitative analysis software. It came to light that none of the libraries concerned had designated departments solely responsible for marketing library services, nor did they have dedicated budgets to drive their marketing plans. Consistently, all the libraries had adopted some form of informal marketing strategies. The study recommends establishing and subsequent resourcing of marketing units in libraries to help manage relationships and further create and deliver values for patrons. The findings of this paper would be relevant, especially for librarians, as they strive to manage their relationships with their users to deliver value to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an interface between health and education, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) offers a potent tool among other interventions to accelerate healthy transition of adolescents into adulthood. With increasing interest in in-school CSE provision/delivery, young people in out-of-school contexts may be left behind. This study forms part of implementation research to understand if the activities used to train and support the facilitators are feasible, appropriate, acceptable, and effective in enabling them to engage a defined group of young people, deliver CSE to them in the out-of-school context, and assist them in obtaining relevant services. This paper presents findings of mapping of out-of-school CSE interventions in Ghana, ongoing or completed between 2015 and 2020, and then discusses a needs assessment of two purposively selected groups of vulnerable out-of-school youth: young people living with HIV and AIDS (YPLHIV) and those living in detention (YPiD). We conducted 10 interviews with YPLHIV and three focus group discussions with YPiD in November 2020. Qualitative data were analysed thematically using both deductive and inductive approaches. The mapping yielded 29 interventions (18/62% were ongoing) focused extensively on the delivery of CSE-related knowledge and information; none were aimed at building facilitators' capacity and most targeted the northern regions. Among YPLHIV, living positively after diagnosis, disclosure skills and use of HIV/AIDS health services were critical. YpID sought clarification on personal hygiene, consent in sexual relationships, medium/channel to deliver CSE, and issues around same-sex sexual intercourse. Both groups sought skills in dealing with stigmatisation and discrimination. Implications of the findings for our own and other interventions are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health and wellbeing of older adults have taken center-stage in global policy agendas in recent times. In 2003, Ghana introduced an insurance exemption policy to eliminate financial barriers to healthcare for older adults and other vulnerable population groups. Embedded within the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), this policy ostensibly guarantees free healthcare for older adults at publicly-funded facilities across the country. In this paper, we applied the implementation problem framework to identify gaps in the implementation of the exemptions policy and their impact on the healthcare experiences of older adults. Our data collection involved qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of community-residing older adults, health workers, community leaders, and policymakers. Our thematic data analysis identified resource, substantive, bureaucratic, political, and administrative constraints in the policy implementation process which, in turn, affected quality healthcare delivery. While most of these constraints are general challenges confronting the NHIS, they serve to undermine the intent of the scheme's exemptions policy. In particular, despite the exemptions, older adults continued to pay out-of-pocket for certain categories of treatments and medications, creating as yet financial barriers to healthcare. We present policy recommendations for addressing these implementation challenges, including suggestions to decentralize, depoliticize, and financially liberate the operations of the NHIS. Ghana's health insurance scheme has not eliminated financial barriers to healthcare for older adults. Older Ghanaians reported unmet healthcare needs, despite implementation of health insurance. Resource, substantive, bureaucratic, and political constraints impede the policy implementation process. Measures are needed to decentralize and depoliticize the NHIS implementation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to establish universal standards to protect children led to the development of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). I drew on literature exploring the UNCRC and children's rights to provision, protection, and participation. This paper aimed to ascertain challenges of enforcing children's rights to provision, protection, and participation in rural and urban Ghana drawing on the experiences and perceptions of 60 government officials, NGO representatives, and parents. Semistructured interviews were conducted with parents (10), stakeholders (10), focus groups (30); and participant observation techniques (10) were utilised to gather the required data and purposively sampled across rural and urban areas in Ghana. Interviews were recorded, and transcribed utilising a framework approach as the qualitative data analysis method. Acceptance of childhood as understood in the UNCRC is different from traditional child-rearing patterns in rural and urban Ghana. IMPLICATIONS Social workers' knowledge about dealing with dilemmas posed by rights to provision, protection, and participation for children may be enhanced. Social workers can improve their knowledge of factors that challenge the enforcement of children's rights for children engaged in child labour and the possible tension between children and parental rights in their everyday social work practice. Social workers can introduce culturally sensitive parenting programs and develop their own contribution towards monitoring and implementing the rights to provision, protection, and participation for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health literacy offers an opportunity to effectively direct health information and services to poor and marginalised groups. However, minimal attempts have been made to understand the state and determinants of health literacy, and its association with health-related behaviours among street-involved youth (SIY). This paper explores the status and sociodemographic correlates of functional health literacy (FHL) among SIY in Kumasi in Ghana. It also assesses the relationship between FHL, sociodemographic factors and two of the commonest health-related behaviours—alcohol use and smoking—among SIY. The study purposively sampled 337 SIY, aged 12 to 24 years, from five suburbs in the central business district of Kumasi Metropolitan Area in Ghana. The mean age of participants was 18 years (± 3.3). About 48%, 37% and 15% of them had inadequate, problematic and sufficient FHL respectively. Approximately 37% consumed alcohol and 14% smoked. Sex (female) and ethnicity (Ewe) were associated with inadequate FHL. Also, having some education and having been involved with the streets for three years or more were associated with inadequate FHL. Furthermore, being older, having some education, ethnicity, traditional religious affiliation, being male, having health insurance and inadequate FHL were associated with alcohol use. Smoking was associated with age (being older) and having been involved with the streets for three years or more. The paper argues that relevant health interventions must compensate for the heterogeneity of SIY as regards their FHL and sociodemographic characteristics to curb deleterious health behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a prevalent problem in many societies across the globe. There have been several discussions of the subject and attempts have been made to explain its incidence and find ways to prevent and/or control it. However, despite these efforts, the problem seems to persist in developing countries like Ghana with dire consequences for the children and society at large. This paper sought to glean insights about the persistence of the problem by focusing on the discourse surrounding the subject. Using Focus Group Discussions with adult members in the Ga communities in Accra namely La, Teshie, and James Town where the phenomenon is relatively pervasive, the paper sought to understand the reasoning and the implications of accusing children who were sexually abused in the Ga community of seducing the perpetrators and engaging in sex for money. The paper posits that the labeling of victims of CSA as “gbɛkɛfɔŋs” (children of bad character) disempowers children and perpetuates the abuse of children. Thus, introducing and situating this notion of “gbɛkɛfɔŋs” in the center of the discourse largely results in a victimization of the victims and a vicious cycle of CSA. The conclusions from this study point to the need for a reorientation of parental and communal roles and an empowering of children to identify and resist sexual abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, in view of the global importance of the Sustainable Development Goals and the current under-development of public library services in Ghana, aims to examine the role of academic libraries in promoting knowledge and skills for lifelong learning opportunities among students in Ghana. The research population comprised three (3) Heads and three (3) Deputy Librarians of selected academic institutions. Participants were identified using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using one-on-one interview, non-participatory observation and documentary evidence. The study has identified some fundamental issues in relation to lifelong learning. The findings support the fact that academic institutions contribute significantly to lifelong learning by providing access to relevant information, giving trainings on research publications, as well as search strategy training, communication skills training, information literacy, and reading. This paper provides insights for academic librarians and decision makers in disseminating measures for the promotion of knowledge and skills for lifelong learning opportunities among students in Ghana. The study recommends some relevant strategies such as collaboration of academic libraries and educational associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) have been a critical human resource in maternal health care delivery in Ghana. However, following the World Health Organization's directive for countries to discontinue using TBAs, the government of Ghana has since emphasized the use of skilled birth attendants. This policy shift created tensions between TBAs and Community Health Nurses. We examine this conundrum in this paper. We find that despite the ban, TBAs still attend a significant number of births – a situation which has produced intense contestations and continuous jostling for "functioning space" and clients between TBAs and nurses. We recommend a consensus-based partnership approach that promotes cultural competence and is sensitive to contextual cultural practices that underpin pregnancy and childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aimed at providing evidence on the variations in HIV prevalence in mining communities in Ghana. Purposive sampling was used for collection of data. Five years records (2011–2015) were reviewed and data on age, sex, date of HIV screening, results and location were extracted from hospital registers and entered electronically for analysis. Findings emerging from this study suggest high HIV prevalence in mining communities in Ghana. This study also identified a decline in routine HIV testing. The study suggests means to tailor public health efforts to improve HIV testing in mining communities. Transactional sexual activities among women and the younger generations may account for the high HIV prevalence according to findings from this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines Ghanaian young people's perceptions of the determinants of HIV- and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, and how these perceptions may influence the de-stigmatisation process. Drawing on findings from an in-depth, multi-method qualitative study involving 104 school and street young people aged between 14 and 19 years, the paper presents young people's accounts of HIV and AIDS. The paper provokes discussion on how language and images associated with existing educational programmes on HIV and AIDS place young people in a dilemma. It also argues that fear and secrecy associated with the disease not only consolidate stigmatisation and discrimination, but also create the desire for retribution. It concludes by challenging health educators to pay particular attention to the language and images used in future educational programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the perception of health and environmental concerns of workers and residents living close to e-waste recycling sites in Ghana using both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. The social constructionist approach and a logit regression model were adopted to examine the rationale of their claims and concerns which have hitherto been unknown and unexplored. We find that workers’ environmental and health perceptions were seriously downplayed and do not match those of epidemiological studies, revealing a lack of convergence between lay and expert knowledge. This study further shows a respondent-specificity rationale; the perception of those directly involved in the processes was mainly influenced by economic considerations, while some at bestdisplayed “genuine” ignorance. We recommend that all policy interventions incorporate approaches that have a better chance of arriving at conclusions economically meaningful to participants and that facilitate greater understanding of health and environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: Although social capital influences health-related decisions and behavioural patterns in many developing countries, minimal attention has been paid to the nuances of its effect on healthcare. This paper examines how bonding social capital affects healthcare delivery for inpatients in Ghana. Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used and thematic analysis method employed to analyse the data. Interviews were conducted with health professionals and relatives and close friends of inpatients in three public health facilities in Ashanti region. Results: Relatives and close friends of inpatients were a critical source of instrumental support such as provision of meals, laundry services, running errands and financial assistance as well as emotional support. These functions—that were both 'expected' and 'encouraged'— reduced the burden on the health facilities, which apparently had limited resources to offer adequate care. However, the relatives of inpatients sometimes inadvertently obstructed efficient healthcare delivery through actions such as extending 'unapproved' alternative care to patients. Moreover, the process of contributing towards health and well-being of the sick exposed the relatives to health risks due to poor living conditions. Conclusion: A well-defined and befitting role must be devised for at least an immediate social relation of inpatients to improve the positive effects of bonding social capital on healthcare delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]